Mapping cells to symbols

摘要

A method of mapping cells onto multi-carrier symbols (e.g. OFDM symbols) is provided, the cells comprising two or more cells that have undergone pre-coding in groups e.g. pairs. The method comprises the steps of mapping each cell to a carrier of a symbol and frequency interleaving the carriers of each symbol such that pre-coded cells are mapped to carriers having the same carrier frequency or to carriers having frequencies differing by no more than a threshold. The invention allows the benefits of zig-zag mapping to be retained for systems that apply mapping and frequency interleaving after pre-coding, e.g. Digital Video Broadcasting Next Generation Handheld (DVB-NGH). In one embodiment pre-coded cells are mapped to carriers within a block and the frequency interleaving performed on blocks of carriers 403. In another embodiment a group of pre-coded cells are mapped to carriers belonging to a set of symbols that are frequency interleaved using the same permutation pattern.